Aylett furniture store reopens under new ownership

The grand interior of the reopened, renamed Red Barn Furniture Outlet in Aylett.

As many have noticed over the past few months, Aylett’s Old Red Store closed after 40 years. The ubiquitous furniture store, which had occupied both sides of Route 360 in Aylett, shuttered its doors only to have reopened as the Red Barn Furniture Outlet under new ownership on May 1.

Owner Jay Roberts explained how his family, based out of Hampton, operates the new store. They have a total of seven stores spanning from Hampton Roads to Williamsburg and Gloucester to Winchester. The family made efforts to follow the formula that had made the previous store a success for 40 years while also incorporating their own changes.

Jay explained in an email: “ The Roberts family is a great family and most employees have been with them for a very long time. They know how to treat [their] customers and how to treat [their] employees. We have only been open at The Red Barn Furniture Outlet since May 1, and I have never had such nice customers, we have been welcomed by the community.”

Customers of the Old Red Store will recognize Veronica who was employed by the previous owner as a salesperson.

Jay explained that they made the decision to keep operating costs low for their 50,000 square-foot store. Their focus is on new products, mattresses and furniture.

Stan explained, “Our plan is to operate a low overhead business- we have no heat and no [air conditioning]—we are out in the country side, so we can offer great prices—we want to carry as much American-Made product as possible so we can help keep fellow Americans employed.

“We will have a straightforward approach on pricing – no gimmicks – we will not jack up our prices so that we can mark through them,” Stan added. “I feel that raising a price and marking through is an insult to a consumer’s intelligence. We will run a business that is of high morals and integrity.”

While there isn’t a website now, customers can still reach the store using the previous phone number, 769-2180. Red Barn Furniture is located at 15389 Richmond Tappahannock Hwy., Aylett.